Category: Torah on Tefillin and Mezuzot

Torah Discussions about Tefilin, Mezuzot, Megilot, Sifrey Torah

History of the Bar-Mitzvah – Tefillin, Aliyah, Mitzvot

Posted on by Gindi

 

Tefillin

 

“A youngster who knows how…to care for Tefillin his father [should] give him Tefillin.” Traditionally this was the practice, however, Tefillin has a special rule that a child must not only understand the importance of the mitzvah of Tefillin but he must keep himself very clean and can not pass gas while he is wearing them. Therefore educating a child to wear Tefillin is at an older age than education of other mitzvot, some have even done away with educating a youngster and prevent them from wearing Tefillin until the day of their Bar-Mitzvah.

The above source is cited by Rabbi Yosef Karo in the Shulchan Aruch and explains that care for Tefillin means that he should not sleep while wearing them and will not pass gas  The Ramah adds from the Itur that a “youngster” here is one who is 13 years and one day. He adds that such is the custom and none should differ. The Mishna Brurah adds that before this time he certainly can not properly watch his Tefillin.

Rivkindcommented on this trend with regards to the singular opinion of Itur and the decision of the Mishna Brurah that the Magen Avraham said that still many are accustomed to teach a child to wear Tefillin several months early. Rivkind further says that people who are pious follow the custom to don Tefillin on the day that a child is Bar-Mitzva. This obviously only applies to Ashkenazim, the Sephardic customs will be discussed.

According to Rivkind Moroccans celebrate Bar-Mitzvahs at twelve years old. He goes on to say that this is indeed a kosher custom a cites several interesting sources. I have personally never seen or heard about such a custom and those Moroccans I have asked said that they never heard of such a thing.

In Jerusalem the custom is that from when a child is ten his father teaches him about Tefillin, if he can properly take care of them Others are accustomed to teach a child to wear Tefillin several months before he turns thirteen. On this day the feast would be made like the feast of wedding.  Keter Shem Tob adds that if the family is wealthy they make an additional feast when the lad is exactly thirteen. I personally grew up knowing nothing other than this custom: that Tefillin are donned several months before and all of the feasts are done then. This was traditionally called “Yom HaTefillin” – The day of Tefillin, while the actual thirteenth birthday was called “Yom Hashlamat Haminyan” – the day of completing a quorum.

I have seen only one family of old Jerusalemites which purchased Tefillin for a child of ten. They purchased a simple pair of Tefillin with the intention of buying a nice pair for the Bar-Mitzva. They did not make a great feast.

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Inside Tefilin – Shema Yisrael Unity and Education

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Inside Tefilin – Shema Yisrael Unity and Education Vaetchanan

Shema Yisrael A-donai E-loheynu A-donai Echad.

Shma Yisrael
The prayer of Shema Yisrael is a universal declaration of the Unity of  G-d. Each Jewish person declares to his friend that G-d is One.

The prayer of Shema Yisrael is a universal declaration of the Unity of  G-d. Each Jewish person declares to his friend that G-d is One. This is like saying, Hey! Jewish people, The G-d, who created the universe is our G-d and He is One. The concept of universally declaring this concept demonstrates the centrality of education. We need to teach it to our children and regularly ponder it ourselves.

The prayer of Shema Yisrael is written in the Torah in the book of
Devarim, Ch. 6 4. There is an oft-quoted Midrash from the Sifri on
this. The Sifri mostly contains halachic discussions, however, on this pasuk the discussion is very Aggadic. In other words it tells us a story about the prayer of Shema Yisrael.

Rabbi Akiva says that the prayer of Shema Yisrael refers to Yisrael,
Yisrael being another name for Yaakov Avinu, and not to Avaraham or Yitzhak. The reason is that Avraham and Yitzhak had children who were waste products. Avraham had Yishmael; Yitzhak Esav. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai totally disagrees with this interpretation.

The Midrash further states that Yaakov constantly worried that one of his children will be a waste, like some of his fathers€ children. He constantly prayed and educated his twelve boys in the ways of G-d. He was especially concerned when he learned that his son Reuven had slept with his concubine / maid Bilhah. He then learned that Reuven had repented through fasting and prayers.

Yaakov Avinu was on his deathbed in Egypt. He called in his sons one by one and rebuked them. After this he called them all in together and asked them, Do you have any issues with the One whose statement created the universe? They answered, Listen Yisrael our father, just as you do not have anything against G-d neither do we have such an issue, rather G-d is our L-ord and he is One. Yaakov was very thankful at this unified statement by his sons, including Reuven, as to the absolute Unity of G-d.

One cannot determine whether this Midrash has any historical value. However, it seems to make clear statements regarding the
interconnection between the unity of the Jewish people in their total acceptance that G-d is One. As a side note it points out that even if people are not perfect they can always repent. Since G-d is One there is no bureaucracy in heaven in accepting anyone€s repentance.

Yaakov’s constant effort, worry and prayers helped to educate and
unify his children in their acceptance that G-d is One.

The Pasuk of Shema Yisrael is followed by several Pesukim that tell us that we need to internalize the Unity of G-d and to teach it to our
children and constantly ponder Him.

Spiritual Torah Discussions on Tefillin

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For Questions about Tefillin Whatsapp message to  +972544572366

Discussions on Tefillin

I personally write the Perashiot – parchments of Tefillin and sell complete sets. As a new service I offer Sessions via Internet video chat that connect boys celebrating their Bar Mitzva with the central mitzvah of Tefillin. This Set of Tefillin and the program “The Spirit of Bar Mitzvah” is available to anyone, especially those not living near Jerusalem.

Via video chat we have two sessions. The second session is after delivery of the Tefillin package which includes a beautiful set of Tefillin, a feather Kulmus pen, some Sofer ink, blank parchment.

For over 25 years I have written the perashiot of Tefillin for Bar Mitzva. I have also taught many kids to connect with Torah and the spiritual connection that Tefillin ties them to.

Local kids from Jerusalem attend the “Tefillin Workshop” program which includes participating in producing the Tefillin.

The Tefillin Experience

Posted on by Gindi

To Order Tefillin  Call 0544572366 or 029991554 or email  steve@gindi.co.il

I offer a wonderful program for those who purchase Tefillin. This is great for Bar Mitzvah boys. It is grandparent approved too. You actually assist in producing the Tefillin. It is called the Tefillin Experience. It consists of up to three meetings.

The three meetings are  hands on. The first meeting involves the boy making crowns on the letters of his  Shema Yisrael parchment,  In  The second meeting we together place the Perashiot in the Batim and sew them. The third meeting is for the whole family, We learn some Halachot, some stories and everyone learns how to write a few letters on parchment

The Tefillin have many Hidurim and are reasonably priced. I personally write the Perashiot. The Gassot have Chut Hatefira, Shin Meshucha, Hand made straps and many more Hidurim. All Perashiot are computer checked and checked by a rav.

 

I have over 25 years of experience.

Gassot Tefillin – 2600 Shekels

Peshutim Mehudarim 1400 Shekels

Those living far away from Jerusalem can benefit from the new Live  Program via internet Video Chat: Tefillin: The Spirit of Bar Mitzvah

You can see samples at https://milknhoney.co.il/gallery

Call 0544572366 or 029991554

 

 

Inside Tefillin – Introduction to Tefillin

Posted on by Gindi

There are four perashiot (paragraphs written on leather parchments) inside Tefillin boxes. The same four appear both in the Tefillin that are placed on the head and the one on the arm. These perashiot speak about central concepts in Judaism.

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The first perasha of “Kadesh li” discusses the freedom from slavery in Egypt. Two of the four sons from the Passover Seder are found in these paragraphs. The second perasha of “Vehaya Ki Yevi’acha” speaks about the plague of the first born of Egypt. The death of the first born of Egypt, in addition to redeeming of out first-born sons and animals, actuate a rejection of the strengths of idolatry and magical powers. The first born of the Egyptian as well as those of other nations were priests. The sanctity of the first born within Judaism is actually a rejection of idolatrous beliefs.

The final two paragraphs that are written in the tefillin are the most famous in Judaism. They are the first two paragraphs of “Shema Yisrael”. The portion of “Shema Yisrael” speaks about the Unity of the Blessed Creator and loving him. The final perasha is “Vehaya im Shmo’a”. It discusses Devine Providence and heavenly reward and punishment.

There is a distinct relationship between these four perashiot. They all mention the importance of study and internalization of these subjects. Additionally, educating children in these particular subjects is mandatory. One needs to constantly teach them to his children and even more so during the Passover Seder.

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